Rob Brown | Steve Swell | Joe Morris | Luther Gray | Rob Brown Quartet | Radiant Pools | RogueArt Jazz

rougeart jazz

Rob Brown: alto saxophone, flute | Steve Swell: trombone | Joe Morris: double bass | Luther Gray: drum set

Recorded on July 13th 2004 by Peter Karl at Peter Karl Audio Services Studio (Brooklin, New York, Ny, USA). Mixing: Peter Karl. Mastering: Jonathan Townes. Liner notes: Franck Médioni. Producer: Michel Dorbon

Tracklist: 1. Boxed Set (6.32) 2. Semantics-1 (9.51) 3. Out of the Lurch (5.35) 4. Radiant Pools (7.40) 5. King Cobra (8.48) 6. Semantics-2 (9.27) 7. Swarm Village (9.41)

Rob Brown has a sound of his own

one that you instantly identify, and it’s a wonder why his unique way of playing alto saxophone still hasn’t found the recognition it deserves. With “Radiant Pools”, not only does he confirm what a great musician he is, but he also shows how he can give life and soul to an orchestra… and what orchestra! Quite noteworthy is the way Rob Brown’s alto sax (hear his high notes) and flute, and Steve Swell’s trombone complement and enrich each other; respond to one another while Swell shows as much talent as a soloist than composer. The rhythm – and sometimes improvising – section is brilliantly composed of Joe Morris (who also wrote a wonderful piece) on the bass, although he gained a top-ranking reputation as a guitar player, and Luther Gray whose perfect knowledge of dynamics is a clear clue of how great a drummer he his. “Radiant Pools” also proves that written and free form improvised music can make a happy combination for the recipe of a consistent musical piece… as long as the service is first-rate!

Rob Brown | Steve Swell | Joe Morris | Luther Gray | Rob Brown Quartet | Radiant Pools | rogueart jazz

Joe Morris, Rob Brown, Steve Swell, Luther Gray (from left to right)

The French RogueArt label has published a wonderful series of modern jazz

in the past frew years, including work by Hamid Drake, Malachi Favors, Roscoe Mitchel. And also this “Radiant Pools” by Rob Brown (sax) with Steve Swell (trombone), Joe Morris (bass) and Luther Gray (drums). The first piece is uptempo, pushed forward by bass and drums, with excellent solos by Swell and Brown. Then comes “Semantics 1”, a more abstract and contemplative piece, with great interplay of Morris on arco, and with the sax and trombone that seek and elicit tones and sounds from eachother like a love dance between two doves. The same concept returns in “Semantics 2” later on the CD, with Morris on flute. “Out Of The Lurch” is more freebop, with a solidly anchored rhythm and a clearly delineated theme. “Radiant Pools” starts with a minute-long unisono of sax and trombone, moving away and coming back again. Halfway the piece, Morris’s arco enters the game. The most beautiful piece is King Cobra, a composition by Joe Morris (also to be found on his “Beautiful Existence”) which is slightly funky and because of the sheer beauty of the melody brings up the best out of the musicians. The overal space offered by the music on this album allows the musicians to demonstrate the breadth of their technical range and knowledge of jazz in all its aspects. Great. — Stef

Rob Brown | Steve Swell | Joe Morris | Luther Gray | Rob Brown Quartet | Radiant Pools | rogueart jazz

Steve Swell, Joe Morris, Luther Gray, Rob Brown (from left to right)

 

CD version (incl. shipment cost world-wide)

$ 17.00
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